Guthrie Wilson: Soldier, Writer, Educator

Guthrie Wilson’s first novel Brave Company was an international best seller in 1951. Based on his experiences as an infantry officer in the 1944/1945 Italian campaign it culminates with the Senio action where many of his men were killed. Wilson himself was captured and faced a firing squad. He was later awarded the Military Cross for bravery. Guthrie Wilson was a Victoria University College rugby blue, graduated with First Class Honours and was a Rhodes Scholar nominee. As well as writing novels, he taught and coached rugby at Marlborough College and Palmerston North Boys’ High School. Guthrie Wilson wrote eight novels, the last three published after he moved to Sydney where he taught at Newington College and was later principal of The Scots College. Julia Millen believes this New Zealand author is long overdue for rediscovery and in this biography she has succeeded in depicting his life and work in a vivid and lively manner.